Why lingerie and candy for their 8th birthday? The easy answer is why not, but I went ahead and asked Morris anyway, who told me the biggest inspiration for this year’s party came from his work with the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in New York.

“Lingerie, sexiness…I need to do that…with an 1980’s and 1990’s kind of vibe,” Morris says.

“It’s like elevating the Victoria’s Secret experience, but I’m doing it in a new way, with unexpected elements. More intimate for sure, but the same amount of power.”

Speaking of intimates, Morris collaborated with the local Sol Lingerie to dress models in playful twists on classic lingerie pieces.

Handmade in Italy and specifically curated for the show, the ornate, fringed Ioselliani pieces (like this one, which retails for around $350) made just as big of a statement on the runway as the motorcycles.

Using only three vendors to create 45 looks for three vastly different themes (metal, motor-cross and sweet) was truly a creative, and incredibly edited endeavor by Morris.

The thoughtfulness behind every detail of each of style was striking.

But really, this is just another one of the salon’s amazing productions, and they aren’t stopping at eight.

“I built this space for parties,” Morris says, “and we’re growing out of it. The year after next is ten, and…we’re going to have to do it in a different space because we are growing out of [this one].”

Photo by Studio 9720, courtesy of Matthew Morris Salon & Skincare

Morris’ second salon opens in the RiNo district this fall. Though it will be equal in size to the South Broadway location, the interior will have its own identity.

“[On South Broadway], we have a stealth, cool building that’s our shell, and we put rustic into it, ” Morris says. “[In RiNo], we’re doing the opposite. It will be like a spaceship landed in a rustic space.”

And I almost forgot. When they’re not throwing the best parties in town, they’re consistently getting nationally recognized by the hair-styling industry for their dedication to professionalism, salon education, artistry and technique.

“We are going to host classes here for outside stylists to come in,” Morris says. “We’ve had people from Wyoming, and Utah, and San Diego, and everywhere. We are going to teach our community and the community around us.”

A companion that joins you on so many of your adventures, something you’ll rush to the doctor when you know she’s not feeling her best, a piece of your life that you can take to work (if you’re lucky), that thing you bring to the park that may or may not help to get you get asked out on a date.

The San Francisco-based messenger bag company celebrated its arrival to Denver on Saturday afternoon with beer from Great Divide Brewery, hot dogs from Biker Jim’s, and plenty of bags, packs, and guys who had one pant leg rolled up.

The bright, bike friendly space not only displays Timbuk2’s various bag collections, but also comes with an indoor parklet where you can charge your phone, bike pumps where you can fill up, and an interactive customization station where you can design your own bag.

Come June, in honor of Bike To Work month, the store will even host a bike share program. Based on availability, customers can rent a cruiser, helmet and lock for the day, and return the items by close of business at no charge.

Women’s bags on display at Timbuk2 in Larimer Square. Photo by Francie Swidler, The Denver Post

Though the program certainly adds to the coolness and bike expertise rooted in the brand, the atmosphere and staff is anything but ostentatious.

Timbuk2 is a equally great place to come and learn what kind of bag is best for your commute, whether you’ve been riding to work your entire life or just took your training wheels off.

Have you been occasionally biking to your adult job, and feel ready to trade in your old Velcro messenger for a new haircut and a groomed beard?

If that’s the case, you’ll want to pay attention to Timbuk2’s distinguished Distilled collection, where each bag is a bit more handsome with leather and metal detailing, but still weather-resistant, functional enough to carry your laptop, padded enough so you don’t get too-sweaty-a-back and plenty of pockets to keep your belongs organized (begins at $189).

If you’re a student looking for an updated bag to carry everything you need for travel, class, and life after school – bike or no bike – many of Timbuk2’s packs and messengers from their more casual collections (like the California or the Madrone) come in multiple sizes, colors and price points, and are still weather resilient, TSA friendly and timeless.

A cycling pack perfect for holding a laptop at Timbuk2. Photo by Francie Swidler, The Denver Post

I spoke to assistant manager, Sean Conroe about what to look for in a bag when you’re riding a bike to work every day, whether that means 20 miles or 10 minutes, in sunshine or a sudden hailstorm.

He pointed me in the direction of the Especial Collection, a line created with incredible attention to detail when you go from bike to work.

Details such as seamed zippers and weatherproof lining, an even distribution of weight, reflective hits for night riding, air mesh fabric, back ventilation and padding will keep you dry and comfortable on your commute.

There’s even a $79 bag in that collection called the Raider Backpack, a lightweight, machine-washable, collapsible invention that’s large enough to hold a pair of wingtips, and contains a small shirt hanger and removable folding board to keep your dress clothes crisp.

I figured Timbuk2 relies on pro-cyclists to help make decisions when it comes to designing their bags, but that isn’t the case.

Hailee Grace celebrates one year in Larimer Square. Photo by Francie Swidler, The Denver Post

Hailee Grace boutique in Larimer Square is the kind of store you spend ten minutes in, leave with precisely the kind of outfit you’ve been looking for, and still have enough in your wallet to add a glass of wine to your lunch order.

Thursday night, former CU students turned shop owners Hailee Satterfield and Grace Evans celebrated the one-year anniversary of that 600-square-foot boutique with spirits (poured by good looking guys), sliders (provided by TAG), and lots and lots of shopping.

The space is filled with the cool kinds of pieces you always want to borrow from a friend’s closet: casual and structured dresses, classic and colored denim, and more special versions of your basic blouses, sweaters, shorts, leggings and jewelry, from brands like Everyly, Collective Concepts and Honey Punch to name a few (which all retail for under $65).

Satterfield says the shop is ideal for “the modern working girl,” the one who wants to be stylish in well-made clothes, but without breaking the bank.

She brought me up to speed on a couple summer staple trends that Hailee Grace will have plenty of this season:

Maxi dresses and skirts – lightweight, comfortable, and will take you from day to night. Wear sandals with them when it’s sunny out, and add a belt and wedges at night.

Cut-off jean shorts and light summer sweaters – you can never go wrong with a great pair of frayed jean shorts, plain or patterned.

Pair them with an oversized lightweight sweater up until the summer months, and don’t be afraid to pay your respects to the 1990s and tie those long sleeves around your hips or waist come July.

Lightweight tanks with a little pizzazz – basic-cut blouses with geometric shapes, patterns, bright colors, cut-outs and exposed zippers all help to accessorize to your outfit and make more of a statement.

Keep those tops at the forefront of your closet for fall; just add a blazer.

Maybe you’ve already got a long dress and a couple old summer shirts in your closet, but there’s no harm in just trying on that $34 top at Hailee Grace.

If you’re lucky, one of the shop owners will be in to help you pick one out, or just make you laugh.

“I majored in integrated physiology. I thought I was going to be an OB/GYN,” Satterfield says, “Grace was going to go to law school. And here we are.”

Comments Off on Hailee Grace boutique celebrates one year in Larimer Square

The three-year-old Denver Four Seasons property has several gratifying amenities (like its truly sumptuous spa), but up until this week was sans salon, a service that Spa Director Candis Ayers told me was in high demand by residents, guests and bridal parties.

Rather than implant an independently operated beauty salon inside the magnificent beast, The Four Seasons installed its own: a blow-dry bar (full list of services and prices here) that offers cuts, formal and semi-formal up-and-down ‘dos, makeup services, scalp massages, bridal and bridal party consultations and more. There’s even a cute little cooler for wine or champagne, to help make the dry bar experience a little more wet.

Located right across from the spa, the new and bright spot is comfortable enough for a larger bridal party but cozy enough to feel intimate. There’s even a hook for the bride-to-be to hang up her dress.

Did The Four Seasons have a Vera Wang gown hanging on that hook, to help celebrate the grand opening? Yes. Of course they did.

A Line Boutique in Greenwood Village also celebrated on Thursday night, with a sold-out Spring Trend Reveal party to give Denver shoppers a sneak peek of styles to come.

“Fashion does exist in Denver,” said A Line owner Karmen Berentsen, “we are living proof.”

Karmen Berentsen, A Line boutique owner speaks at A Line’ Spring Trend Reveal

This was the takeaway from the night’s presentation hosted by 5280 Magazine’s Fashion Editor Georgia Benjou and A Line’s adorable buyer Mayra Sanchez Garcia.

Standing in front of a giant vision board and speaking to A Line’s biggest fans, Benjou identifed spring trends with Garcia giving tips on bringing those trends to life, while still reminding us that nothing looks better than one’s own individualized taste.

On January 17, 1920, a nationwide, alcohol prohibition was mandated (otherwise known as the Eighteenth Amendment).

On December 5, 1933, the Twenty-first Amendment was ratified, officially repealing the prohibition of alcohol.

And on December 5, 2013, with a temperature of 7 degrees F. outside, The Goorin Bros. Hat Shop on Larimer Square hosted a hot Repeal of Prohibition Day party.

Bow ties from Nineteen Forty at the Goorin Bros. Repeal of Prohibition Day Party. Photo by Francie Swidler, The Denver Post

Don’t you like to walk into a party where the men are dapper, the women are wearing fringe, the roaring 1920s band up front is playing La Vie En Rose, and the bar has turned into a speakeasy? I certainly like to.

And so does the San Francisco-based hat retailer, which celebrated the right to drink, and the right to drink in style on Thursday night at its Larimer Square store in Denver.

The shop turned out to be quite the classy venue for a small gathering – having enough space for merchandise, a bar, snacks from The Green Russell, a couple men’s pop-up shops, and even live jazz music from Gypsy Swing Revue.

A stack of hats at the Goorin Bros. Repeal of Prohibition Day Party. Photo by Francie Swidler, The Denver Post

The 118 year-old heritage Goorin Bros. brand specializes in re-creating classic hats with a modern twist, and the speakeasy soiree helped to showcase a few looks from their newly launched holiday hat collections in honor of the 80th anniversary of the repeal – with the similar look and feel of hats from the 1920’s and 1930’s.

The hats were all well and good, but there were a couple man pop-up shops that caught my eye at the party as well.

The first was Nineteen Forty, a custom bow tie company based in Boulder that makes an awesome affordable ($50-$140) collection of bow ties in vintage cottons, silks, wools and even cashmere.

Classy hats at the Goorin Bros. Repeal of Prohibition Day Party. Photo by Francie Swidler, The Denver Post

I also came across The Bespoke Edge, based out of Windsor near Fort Collins, that creates handcrafted clothing for men – think shirts, sport coats and dress pants, even pocket squares and neckties.

Men of Denver looking to buy some dress clothes this season should give The Bespoke Edge a shot. Their custom garments – that you help design – aren’t much more expensive than the shirts you’re buying at Macy’s. Dress shirts begin at $135, and suits at $795.

If you’re afraid of looking like Don Draper – although, I don’t know why you would be – Goorin Bros. also has hats and accessories to keep your head toasty, so you can still look fly while staying warm. Win-win.

Hats off to them.

Comments Off on Goorin Bros. hosts hot Repeal of Prohibition Day party on a cold, cold night

A model styled as “The Independent” walks the runway at American Crew Opening Night. (Photo By Erin Hull/The Denver Post)

Heads up, Denver guys.

If you didn’t know – American Crew – pioneer in men’s grooming products sold in salons globally, and a household name that’s hopefully already in your bathroom – is based right here in the Mile High City.

What does this mean?

This means that Denver, believe it or not, is one of the most fashion forward cities when it comes to men’s hairstyles and trends.

And what does that mean, for you, Menver?

It means that you no longer have an excuse to be to clueless when it comes to managing your mop – no matter if you’re a trail runner, ski lift operator, or even an airplane baggage handler.

The fashion and hair show that attracts top hairstylists and men’s grooming experts from all over the world sent more than 30 male models down the runway, wearing next year’s styles and trends on their threads and their heads.

The laces on his glossy black dress shoes were also red. And very thick. Morris had cut them off of combat boots because they were the only red ones he could find, and he wanted to wear red laces. (“I need to do that punk rock trick,” Morris said, “where you put a lighter to the ends, so I can close them off.”)

Nothing about Matthew Morris, his south Broadway salon, or the parties he throws are without epic attention to some very boss details.

The red shoe laces. The gift bags. The fog machine. The seating arrangements by poker card. The Epernay Lounge sushi station that sat atop a Matthew Morris ice sculpture. The giant diesel-punk Baroque limo parked right in the middle of the runway, inside the salon.

When I interviewed myself on day one, I spoke of my process just the same – you know, the one which basically just consists of a Betty Cooper ponytail all day, everyday, whether I’m going to the gym, to work, or a black tie wedding. Oh, and I use two – and only two – bobby pins. I wouldn’t want to leave you without that crucial information, should you decide to re-create the Francie.

But for the final day of my #denverhair project, I decided that I was going to be making some changes to that process. And maybe (keyword: maybe) begin to wear my hair more down than up.

I have very thin hair and very few strands of it. I really don’t know how to pump up my hair’s volume without making it look like I’ve decided to try my hand (hair?) at competing in beauty pageants. Come to think of it, most professionals don’t even know what to do with my baby fine locks when I sit in their chair and take out my ponytail – but it usually consists of an over-pinned up-do, under a crispy and overcooked film of hairspray.

I reached out to Fluff Dry Bar in LoDo for help. Kate, Fluff’s own thin-haired stylist and Events Coordinator came to my rescue.

If it were a realistic and financial option to begin all of my hair days at Fluff, I would. I’m still toying with the idea of eliminating dinner from my budget, and replacing it with Fluff blow-outs. But until that decision is officially made, I’ll take the tips I learned from Kate during my visit.

During my thirty minute, $40 blow-dry appointment – accompanied by a glass of champagne, a head massage and a wash of my hair – I indulged Kate in everything I hated about my hair: that I had practically given up on styling it, so I stick to my ponytail, and claim that it’s just part of my personality.

As a thin-haired woman herself, Kate gave me a few, quick and easy items of action I could start doing to take control of my baby fine hair and work with what I’ve got. And this was great. Because my decision to constantly complain about my hair issues has not been working to actually solve the problem.

Here’s what she told me would work for my hair:

Braids: Hair’s easiest and best accessory. Not only are they great for keeping hair in place and looking good the day-of, braids win for next day, unwashed hair options.

Wash: Washing your hair everyday will only make your hair believe that it needs to be washed everyday. If you can change up the cycle to once every two days – or even three – hair will be less greasy the days without wash. The more chemicals you put in your hair, the greasier it becomes.

Heat and a round brush: Enough with the air dry. Use a blow dryer, and use it with a round brush. The round brush will create back combing, and heat will work to expand the hair, creating more volume. Science!

Dry Shampoo: A thin-haired girl’s best friend, and should always be tossed into your bag. It creates volume and texture without the grease. But don’t just spray it on – it’s best used if you section out strands of hair, and place the powder (yes, powder) at the roots. Kate used this product by Kevin Murphy on me. And if you think I bought a bottle of it for myself at the end of the appointment, I did.

Product: Spending more money on a high quality product goes a long way. A much longer way than stocking up on cheap sprays, mousses and gels that don’t do the job quite right. You’re better off making the investment and coming out happy, rather than trying to save a buck and getting a mediocre result.

Fluff Dry Bar is awesome: It is. It’s a full service salon, with makeup artists and a bar. A bar! They’ve got a menu full of options, but a $40 blow-dry takes only thirty minutes, includes a hair washing, a scalp massage, and an immediate ego-boost. The concept is no different than getting a manicure: your hair’s been worn and torn at work all day. Why not treat yourself to a quick, inexpensive spa treatment, on the way to drinks with friends? It’s fresh, revitalizing and fun. Consider it your pregame to happy hour.

Kate put two braids in my hair, teased half of it up, and loosely used a curling iron for the rest. I loved it. But what I loved even more was that Kate took me every step of the way, showing me how to go through the process myself.

Unfortunately, I can’t say I share that same love for the cameraman, who chose to make the audience very aware of what location we filmed my final hair interview in. He’s since been fired.

You can watch and read about my entire series here. Until next time – take hair!

Even after thirty days of my #denverhair project, I still didn’t find what I was really wanted to see during my “How’d you get your hair like that?” tenure — and that is, a truly bald head.

Instead, I had to make-do with Joe Miller’s head. He’s got some hair up front, hair in back, hair on the sides, and an egg-sized bald spot up top.

The bald spot fascinates me. Is it the product of stress? Genetics? Random follicle patterns? And why just that one spot? I suppose I could Google these questions, but I chose to ask them to Joe Miller himself.

I’m sure the guy knows a bit more about his bald spot than he’s leading on. But for now, I’ll take his answer. And you’ll have to watch the video to find out what that is.

Follow my series here and on Twitter, with @notajappycamper and #denverhair.

For day twenty-nine of the #denverhair experiment, I found both a beard and a haircut. Together. On one head. Lately, my findings have only been beards and haircuts on separate persons. This, however, was one man, two hairstyles. Otherwise known as the triple threat.

Eric’s a simple guy, and works at the hi-dive . Big surprise. Look at that facial hair. How could the man not hang out on South Broadway.

I like what he has to say about his hair. His beard is the result of literally doing nothing, and his polished and sleek cut came from Great Clips. Speaking of cuts, the video cuts Eric off right as he is about to say “I cement it to my head.” Meaning his hair.

Follow my series here and on Twitter with @notajappycamper and #denverhair.